Phillipsburg Parade Is Back In Business

The 50th anniversary parade of the Phillipsburg Emergency Squad is back on the calendar for May 10, according to Town Manager Peter Miller.

He told Town Council during last night's workshop session that the parade, which had been canceled because the emergency squad could not secure needed insurance, now had coverage.

Miller said the Phillipsburg area Jaycees had obtained coverage on its insurance policy, allowing the parade to be held. He also said there is a possibility that a policy being written to insure the town's fire department and firehouses could be extended to the emergency squad.

"The parade is definitely on," Miller said. But he said alcoholic beverages will not be allowed at the celebration after the parade because the insurance would not cover that.

The town had told the squad once before that it could not assume the insurance risk for both the parade and celebration afterward, but Miller said a policy from a company that specializes in insuring fire companies and similar municipal agencies could handle the risk.

Also, Town Council will go on record at its next meeting opposing a proposed rate hike for Garden State Water Co.

Miller told council that if the $1.3 million hike proposed by Garden State Water is approved in full, it would raise Phillipsburg's municipal water bill by 14 to 15 percent annually.

Mayor Paul Rummerfield said that translates to a $13,559 increase for the town.

Even though council will oppose the increase, Miller said, "I don't think we're going to be as successful this time" as the town was the previous two years when increases were proposed.

Miller said Garden State Water has not had a rate increase in 3 years. "Last year we got them to withdraw," he said. "Since they did, I know they'll get (the increase) this year. They're going to get something."

Still, he said the town might be able to get the rate hike modified.

The hearing by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on the rate increase will be April 7 in Hamilton Township, N.J.. Rummerfield suggested that Phillipsburg have a representative on hand.

The rate increase request, filed Dec. 6, would raise the consumption rate charge from the current 98-cents to $1.32 per 100 cubic feet - raising the average residential quarterly bill from $41.16 to $49.26. It also would raise the annual hydrant fee for businesses and the charge to municipal fire companies for public fire protection service would rise. But there would be no change in the annual hydrant fee for fire companies.

Garden State Water serves roughly 9,200 customers in the Phillipsburg area.

Rummerfield also announced that the town has scheduled two clean-ups this year - one April 21 and another some time in October - in which residents can dispose of items not collected with normal garbage pickups.

Council still must determine what can be put out for collection, and Miller noted that the clean-upswill be only for private residences, not businesses.

Discussion of a study on the town's housing, proposed by councilman Philip Mugavero last month, was delayed until council has a better idea of what the objectives would be.

Miller was asked to provide a rough outline, including topics such as how many rental units are in town, where they are located, their general condition, their affect on municipal services and tax revenues they provide.

"You know there's a problem (with housing) and I can't define it as clearly as I'd like," Mugavero said. "I want to describe it as best I can, then it's up to (council) to say what we want to do."

Also, Eugene Castiglia Jr., chairman of the Phillipsburg Parking Authority, said a $1 increase in fines for overtime parking at meters that took effect March 17 probably would "keep us above the water, keep us afloat."

Castiglia also said the authority is considering using a permit at three of its five parking lots instead of meters as it now does. He said the permits might be sold at $5 to $10 annually, which would cover the cost of printing and distribution.

Castiglia did not specify which three lots would be affected, and said the change was only in the discussion stage.

The authority has experienced financial problems for some time. Vice chairman Thomas Lombardi said there were $26,500 in expenses in fiscal year 1983-84, but income was about $3,000 short of that figure.

Mugavero asked, "Should we be looking at taking over the administration and let (the authority's board) set policy?"

Councilman Christopher Wameling said it was a "good thought." He said, "If we (hire) a public safety director, it should come under him. Maybe we would want (to wait for) his thoughts."

Council took no action, deciding instead to wait until the financial impact becomes clear after a proposed comprehensive reform of parking codes at the state level is completed and implemented.